Reliability/Failure Modes of a BYO?

[The Norseman]

So, I've done a bunch of poking around here and other AR sites and I'm wondering what are some of the more common failures of a BYO gun?

My question arises directly from reading USMC03's AARs in where he's saying that the only real failure of weapons at the trainings he has attended were on BYO guns.

I'd like to know what these "tits up" situations are and why, if the parts used in a BYO are mil-spec, and assembled correctly, would they be more prone to failure than a factory gun?

I have the utmost respect for observations and opinions held by people with with a boat load of experience (way beyond any I'll ever have). I would really like to all but fail proof my own BYO.

The Norseman

[BPTactical]

Not so much as failures but most headaches I have seen on BYO/Home built rifles have been due to Cranial Rectalitis on the owners behalf.
Few have been issues with faulty components.
Number one offender is improper assembly/ lack of knowledge. Broken pin bosses, cross threaded pistol grip and extension tubes, cross threaded barrel nut, overtorqued and undertorqued barrel nuts, dry barrel nuts.
Poor selection of parts such as wrong buffer spring vs buffer, commercial buffer tube vs mil spec buttstocks etc are right up there with issues.
Folks trying to "hotrod" their rifles by tinkering with gas port sizes, adjustable gas sytems etc.
"Bubba" gunsmithing is a culprit as well.
"I just polished it a bit with my Dremel" is either the worst or the best phrase a Gunsmith can hear.

Some home builds are awesome and the great thing about it is you can build it the exact way you want it. But take the time to research the components you are planning on using. They need to work together as a system for the build to perform and if you have questions,call the manufacturers. Most are very willing to help.

[Irving]

So kind of like when people build up a naturally aspirated motor, then decide to turbocharge or supercharge it and use the same N/A parts (heads and cams)?

[Graves]

So kind of like when people build up a naturally aspirated motor, then decide to turbocharge or supercharge it and use the same N/A parts (heads and cams)?

Did I miss something, or is Stu just rambling on about his Type-Arrrrrgh days?

[Irving]

LOL, it's been so long since I've seen that term that I didn't know what you were talking about.

I always figured I'd purchase a factory gun, just so I could familiarize myself with the platform, and go from there. I always hear people say that if you build your own, you can get exactly what you want, but since I've never had one, I have no idea what I want.

Now, I'll bow out and back to your regularly scheduled program.

[esaabye]

LOL, it's been so long since I've seen that term that I didn't know what you were talking about.

I always figured I'd purchase a factory gun, just so I could familiarize myself with the platform, and go from there. I always hear people say that if you build your own, you can get exactly what you want, but since I've never had one, I have no idea what I want.

Now, I'll bow out and back to your regularly scheduled program.

Stu, suggest you just drop a nickle in an ammo can for every post, you will have your fist AR in no time...

[Irving]

Point taken.

[SA Friday]

I've seen some home builds to salavate over. I've seen some home builds that were paper weights. In every instance, the success or failure came down to the intelligence level of the builder. Even the first home gun builds, the intelligent ones read, and read, and find assistance, and read... (you get the point). The retards, well, they really like to talk about "how much money they saved" for their masculine paper weight.

I know this is going to be a news flash from me after my "buy the most expensive gun you can" thread, but quality parts cost more than shitty parts. The parts that work better are more sought by shooters, therefore harder to come by, and (this is a shocked and awed face) cost more money.

So, in conclusion, I would have to say the reliability and accuracy of the home build is completely dependent on the builder's intelligence and their willingness to use quality parts in their build.

As to what the most common failures are; breaking the little parts that take subtlety to assemble, shooting springs and retaining pins into the next county (and losing them), jacking up gas tubes/jacking up barrel nuts, buying BCG's that the key isn't steaked (that's my favorite one), bending the shit out of the gas rings and then wondering why they blew off into the action and F'ed everything up, commercial/mil spec buffers and tubes and a complete lack of understanding there are two different sizes. Did I mention shooting springs and pins off into outerspace?

[esaabye]

I tried to save some money with a "Trigger Job" rather than paying for the improved trigger to start with. I ended up purchasing both as well as dealing with unpredictable trigger as I learned the hard way.

Dropped in a Rock River NM and never looked back.

[BPTactical]

I tried to save some money with a "Trigger Job" rather than paying for the improved trigger to start with. I ended up purchasing both as well as dealing with unpredictable trigger as I learned the hard way.

Dropped in a Rock River NM and never looked back.

+1
About all you want to do to a stock trigger is stone polish the engagement surfaces. They are Casehardened just a few thousandths deep and you cut too deep and you are into softer material. If that happens you now have some strange shaped fishing weights.


Buy the best you can- that way you never question it and don't have to spend your money twice.